March. 9-15, 2005

Seattle Art Museum "Between Past and Future" is a thrilling showcase of contemporary Chinese video and photography, much of it focused on the body in relation to the world. Though small and suppressed, the avant-garde is alive and vital in communist China. Standouts in this superb show include Zhang Huan's iconic photos of language and identity, Family Tree, Rong Rong's disturbing images of visceral performance art, Li Wei's clever experiments with mirrors, and Zhao Lian's video-game-inspired exploration of authority, Social Survey. Also on display: "Africa in America," a varied and complex look at slavery, displacement, and ethnic culture as portrayed in African-American art of the late 20th century, including work by James W. Washington Jr., Kara Walker, Ellen Gallagher, Oliver Jackson, and Marita Dingus. 100 University St., 206-654-3100. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tues.-Sun.; 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Thurs.

Seattle Asian Art Museum "Mountain Dreams" collects contemporary ceramics incised with Buddhist text by Korean artist Yoon Kwang-cho. Volunteer Park, 1400 E. Prospect Ave., 206-625-8900. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Wed.-Sun.; 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Thurs.

Tacoma Art Museum Marsden Hartley isn't exactly a household name, but the 20th-century American painter, poet, critic, and dandy was a solid experimenter in form and color. This touring retrospective marks the first major show of his work in the Northwest in 20 years. Also, "A Decade of Excellence" displays Northwest artists who've been awarded the Behnke Foundation's "Neddy" Artist Fellowship since the program began 10 years ago— including work by Michael Spafford, Juan Alonso, Claire Cowie, Susan Dory, and Mark Takamichi Miller. 1701 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, 253-272-4258. Every third Thursday free and open until 8 p.m. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tues.-Sat.; noon- 5 p.m. Sun.

Washington State History Museum Do you remember being able to think about 9/11 without cursing Bush for dragging us into the bloody quagmire of Iraq? Yeah, neither do we, and we're not at all sure that "September 11: Bearing Witness to History" will help. It's a touring show of charred flags, blackened firefighter helmets, and twisted steel from the WTC, all presented like sacred relics. 1911 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, 253-272-3500. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tues.-Wed. 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Fri.-Sat. noon-5 p.m. Sun.